Multi-purpose traction apparatus

ABSTRACT

Traction apparatus for the human anatomy characterized by a main frame and a pulling device connected to one end thereof, the other end of the frame being open to provide a space for a portion of the anatomy to extend across same, and a plurality of attachments for the main frame which may be employed in various combinations to provide various abutments or loci of countertraction on various parts of the anatomy. It is a lightweight device which may be used to apply traction to entire limbs or portions of limbs, to the neck, and other portions of the anatomy. In some uses the main frame is disposed in a horizontal position but is also self supporting in a vertical position for other applications of use. The attachments may be oriented to various positions relative to the main frame and are detachable therefrom to render the apparatus compact, whereby it may be readily transported.

United States Patent Jorgensen [151 3,662,750 I 1 May 16, 1972 [54]MULTI-PURPOSE TRACTION [21] Appl.No.: 983

Australia 128/87 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Portable Fracture ReductionApparatus" by J. T. Bate, AM.

Journal ofsurgery, Vol. 32, No. l, p. 180- 185 Primary Examiner-RichardA. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko Attorney-Duane C. Burton [57]ABSTRACT Traction apparatus for the human anatomy characterized by amain frame and a pulling device connected to one end thereof, the otherend of the frame being open to provide a space for a portion of theanatomy to extend across same, and a plurality of attachments for themain frame which may be employed in various combinations to providevarious abutments or loci of countertraction on various parts of theanatomy. It is a lightweight device which may be used to apply tractionto entire limbs or portions of limbs, to the neck, and other portions ofthe anatomy. In some uses the main frame is disposed in a horizontalposition but is also self supporting in a vertical position for otherapplications of use. The attachments may'be oriented to variouspositions relative to the main frame and are detachable therefrom torender the apparatus compact, whereby it may be readily transported.

4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMM 16 m2 SHLH 1 [1F 2 INVENTOR THORV JORGENSEN ATTORNEYS PATENTEnm 16 m2 SI'iZET 2 BF 2 INVENTOR THOR V.JORGENSEN ATTORNEYS MULTI-PURPOSE TRACTION APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Devices for applying traction to portions of the human anatomyhave long been employed and are of various types and utility. Forexample, some are of a bulky nature which renders them best suited foruse in hospitals or the like. Also, they may be of single purposeutility for use with only one portion of the anatomy, such as a limb,aportion of a limb, or applying traction to the neck or other portions ofthe anatomy of the patient. As will be apparent, such types of deviceshave little or no utility where it is desired to apply traction to thepatient at the scene of an accident or the like due to their lack ofportability or due to their construction which renders them usable withspecialized equipment which is available only at a remote locus, such asa hospital or at the office of a doctor where the proper traction mustbe administered. Since they are often of single purpose utility,moreover, it would be necessary to transport a myriad of equipment tothe patient if various types of traction were required, which isimpractical.

It will now be apparent that a need exists for a device which hasmulti-purpose utility yet is sufficiently compact that it may be easilytransported to a desired locus. Further, if it requires no furtherancillary specialized or expensive equipment it could, in many cases, beemployed in the home of a patient, thus obviating expensivehospitalization. Additionally, if it could be constructed in a simplemanner and at low cost, yet would serve the myriad of tractionapplications encountered, it would be of considerable benefit to doctorswho, in general, are not provided with the various devices required forsingle purpose applications of use.

In an attempt, to locate a device of such type, none have been foundavailable. However, the'U .S. Fat. to Maher, No. 2,606,550,recognizedfthe general need of a portable, lightweight, compact andinexpensive construction which could be used for more than one type oftraction application, but the number of applications, is limited and itsuse is thus restricted, as distinguished from a device which could servethe purpose of the many applications of the highly specialized equipmentreferred to.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is characterized by aframe having a traction or tension applying device at oneend and variousattachments which may be applied to the other end, either singly or invarious combinations, and which, dependent upon their choice of use,provide' suitable abutments or loci for applying countertraction tovarious portions of the anatomy. The other end referred to is open (asdistinguished from the patent referred to) and, in general, a portion ofthe anatomy is disposed within or across this opening, which, as willsubsequently appear in greater detail, provides a construction whichpermits a large number of traction applications to the anatomy. Further,since it adds only a relatively small length to the height of thepatient, it may be employed with a normal length bed, thus rendering itparticularly useful where the patient is receiving treatment in hishome. If it mustbe transported to a remote locus, for example foremergency use, this is possible due to its compact and lightweightconstruction. Further, even if the particular traction application isunknown in advance, a doctor is assured that the various arrangements ofits parts will enable him to apply traction to all of the parts of theanatomy which most frequently require same, such as limbs or the neck,as well as to some of the less frequently injured parts, such as partsof the torso. It is further characterized by suitable supports forsupporting the weight of a portion of the anatomy, which aid in theapplication of the traction force, as well as adding to the comfort ofthe patient. If desired, also, it may be constructed in a manner suchthat the traction or pulling point is adjustable to any point within thecross section of the open end, whereby the direction of pull relative tosuch cross section may be selected as desired.

In summary of the foregoing, principal objectives of the invention arethe provision of a main frame having a traction device connected to oneend, the main frame being employed in all uses of the device, the otherend being open and across which a portion of the anatomyv may bedisposed, and a plurality of attachments which may be employed invarious combinations to provide suitable countertraction loci orabutments for a portion of the anatomy.

Further objects, advantages and salient features will become moreapparent from the detailed description to follow, the appended claims,and the drawing to now be briefly described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a top plan'of the subject ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation as viewed in the direction of arrow 2, FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3, FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 4 illustrating one application of use;

FIG. 6 is a similar view illustrating another application of use;

FIG. 7 is a similar view illustrating a further application of use; and

FIG. 8 is an alternative form of frame and winch support which may beemployed in FIGS. I to 7.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing, andfirst to FIGS. 1 to 4, main frame A, which is employed in all uses ofthe invention, comprises a pair of square tubes 10, 10a, securedtogether by a crosstie bar 12 adjacent their left or rear ends, and byupwardly inclined and forwardly extending members 14, 14a at their rightor front ends which are joined by a bight portion 16. As will beapparent, tubes 10, 10a are disposed in parallel spaced relationship andleg members 14, 14a form supports for a winch W.

The winch is of generally conventional construction comprising a drum l8affixedto a rotatable shaft 20 having a handle or 30, 22 affixed to sameand which incorporates a releasable ratchet (not shown) which preventsretrograde rotation. Thus, as the drum 18 is rotated in one direction,strap 24, which is affixed to the drum, is wound on same, applying apulling force on hook 24 affixed to a spring scale 26 attached to thestrap. When it is desired to release the pulling force the ratchet canbe released to permit retrograde rotation of the drum.

Tubes 10, 10a each threadedly carry a set screw 28, best shown in FIG.3, which lock extensible members 30 30a which are telescopicallyreceived within tubes 10, 10a. Members 30, 300 are each L-shaped, havingvertically extending legs 32, 32a, respectively, the purpose of whichwill subsequently appear. The L-shaped members just described are alsodesignated B, whichcomprise the first attachment to the main frame A.

A U-shaped upright C, forming the second attachment, comrises a pair ofparallel spaced square tubes 34, 34a connected by a bight member 36 attheir ends.

A third attachment D comprises a pair of L-shaped members havingdownwardly extending legs 38, 38a, which are telescopically receivedwithin tubes 34, 3412. In FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 bight portion 36 of theU-shaped upright C is at the bottom and members D are directed towardthe winch. In FIG. 4 they are also directed toward the winch but'thebight portion 36 is now disposed at the top. As will be apparent,however, they may be directed in any of four directions apart, the usualdirections being forward, as shown, or rearwardly from same. i

A pair of connecting devices, forming a fourth attachment E, eachcomprise a pair of adjacent square tubes 40, 42 secured together andsecured to a suitable rigid backing member 44 which is provided with asoft pad 46. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, one of the tubes of thepad-connector engages a vertical leg of attachment B, the other tube onthe pad engages the U-shaped upright C, and the tops of the uprightseach carry a forwardly extending member D.

Before proceeding with exemplary uses of the device, the components ofthe traction frame will now be briefly recapitulated in the interests ofa more clear understanding of language to subsequently be employed. Theycomprise:

A. a main frame which includes a pair of parallel tubes and a winch,this component being always employed;

B. a pair of lower L-shaped members which telescope within the tubes,just aforesaid, which form adjustable rearward extensions of same;

C. a U-shaped upright member having square parallel tubes.

D. a second pair of upper L-shaped members, each having a leg whichtelescopes within a square tube of the U-shaped upright; and

E. a pair of padded connectors, each having a pair of adjacent parallelsquare tubes which telescopically engage certain of the parts,aforesaid.

In addition to the various components just referred to, variousattachments for connecting the winch to a member of the anatomy, or forsupporting or restraining a portion of the anatomy against undesiredmotion, are required. These will vary considerably in construction, and,in some instances, will require some improvisation to efiect the desiredresult. Several of these will be described in connection with exemplaryuses of the device to now be described.

In FIG. 5 traction is being applied to an entire leg, it being assumedthat traction or reduction is desired somewhere between the thigh andthe foot. The right member B is extended to a desired position andlocked thereat, one of members E being attached to same for engaging thecrotch to provide a pull restraining abutment. The lower end of the lefttube 34 of member C is applied to the upright leg of the left member B,the lower end of the right tube of member C resting upon right member B.The second pair of upper L-shaped members D are applied to the upperends of upright C and extend in a direction toward the winch. These formsupports for ends of an adjustable length strap 48 for supporting weightof the leg and, as shown, extend beneath the calf of the leg. The winchmay be connected to the foot in various ways, but as illustrated, aplaster cast 50 is provided and a suitably shaped strap 52 engages theplaster cast and the winch hook. As will be apparent, the winch is thenactuated to apply desired traction, as determined by the reading on thescale. It will be noted that one of the members E is not employed inthis example.

FIG. 6 illustrates a manner of applying traction to the neck of apatient. In this example all of the parts employed in FIG. 5 areemployed except both of members E. To provide a restraining abutment, apair of straps 54 are employed, each having its ends affixed to uprightC and each of which engages the top of a shoulder, the latter portionpreferably having a pad on same. Another adjustable length strap 56extends beneath the back of the patient, its ends being connected tomembers D, thus supporting the weight of the upper torso or chest of thepatient. Another adjustable length strap 58 may be applied to supportthe weight of the head of the patient. Traction is applied by a harness60 which engages the chin and rear portion of the head of the patient.

FIG. 7 illustrates one manner of applying traction to the forearm andfingers of a patient. In this example only members A and B are employed.A suitable elbow plaster cast 62 is provided which is secured to membersB by a strap 64. Any suitable clamp 66 engages the fingers and connectssame to the winch. As will be apparent, main frame A is now disposed ina vertical position, rather than a horizontal position, as in FIGS. 4and 5.

In another manner of applying traction to the neck (not shown),pad-connectors E are attached to lower L-shaped members B with the padsengaging the tops of the shoulders of the patient and with the head ofthe patient disposed within frame A (as in FIG. 6), but with the armsnow entirely outside of frame A. In this example, members D may or maynot be employed, depending upon whether or not weight support isrequired.

If traction on the upper arm is desired, that is, between the elbow andshoulder (not shown), one of members B with a pad E thereon may beemployed, the pad engaging the arm adjacent the shoulder. A plaster castis applied to the bent elbow and the cast connected to the winch with asuitable strap.

The various applications illustrated or just described and the parts ofthe apparatus employed for each are summarized in the followingtabulation, it being understood that main frame A is always employed:

FIG. Lower U-Frame Upper Pads Extens- C Supports E ions B D 4 yes yesyes yes 5 yes yes yes yes( 1) 6 yes yes yes no 7 yes no no no N/S-Neckyes no optional yes N/S-Arm yes( 1) no no yes( 1) In some instances itmay be desirable to apply the traction force at an adjustable locus onthe main frame, rather than at a fixed point as in FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG. 8illustrates an alternative form of main frame portion for this purpose.In this construction the winch is affixed to a member 16a which may beadjusted horizontally and vertically relative to leg members 14, 14a sothat the tensile force may be applied at any point which, in general,will be at a point within a cross section as defined by a forwardprojection of the cross section of member C. In this construction theends of cross bar 68 may slide vertically along members 14, 14a andmember 160, which carries winch W, may slide horizontally along bar 68.Set screws, like screws 28, may be employed to lock the cross bar andmember 16a in any desired position of adjustment.

The examples above thus include traction to the entire length ofa leg(FIG. 5), traction to the neck (FIG. 6) and as otherwise described butnot shown, traction to the forearm (FIG. 7), and traction to the upperarm (as described but not shown). As will now be apparent, traction tothe upper portion of a leg is also possible in which eventcountertraction may be applied with a pad engaging the crotch but withthe traction force applied at the knee or somewhere above same, eitherwith suitable straps or a plaster cast. Similarly, traction may beapplied to the leg between the knee and foot by securing the leg at theknee with a plaster cast or straps and applying traction as in FIG. 5.

As will now be apparent, the various modes of use of the main frame andall or a portion of its attachments, as described, provide a single,lightweight, and portable apparatus which may be employed for aconsiderable number of traction purposes, both for entire limbs orportions of same, or the neck. It is to be understood, however, thatother specific applications are possible by selection of the variousparts and their particular orientations and adjustments. It is thereforeapparent that the specific uses illustrated and described are exemplary,only, and that the invention is not limited to same except as definedwith the scope of the appended claims. For example, in connection withthe arrangement shown in FIG. 5, it will be understood that the U-shapedupright member C may be installed even though a limb of a patient isalready mounted within the main frame A. This is accomplished bydisposing the U-shaped member C in a horizontal plane beneath the limb.When the bight portion 36 is disposed adjacent the vertically disposedportions of the L-shaped members B, the member C is pivoted about thebight portion 36 until the tubes 34 and 34a are disposed in a verticalplane. The member C is maintained in this position by interconnectingone of the tubes 34 of the member C with one of the upright portions ofthe L- shaped member B through the use of the fourth attachment E.

What is claimed is:

1. An anatomy traction device comprising:

a. a main frame having first and second ends and normally adapted to bedisposed on a generally horizontal surface, said main frame including 1a pair of spaced apart, generally parallel tubes,

2. a support having a traction device disposed adjacent the first end ofsaid main frame and above thereof,

3. a bar disposed normal to the tubes for securing one of said tubes toanother,

4. the tubes at the second end of said main frame being hollow inconstruction,

5. the second end of said main frame being open thereabove therebyproviding a space across which a portion of the anatomy may be extended;

b. a first pair of L-shaped attachment members each having first andsecond legs, the first leg of each of said attachment members beingdisposed in telescoping relation within a corresponding one of saidtubes at the second end of said main frame, the second leg of each ofsaid attachment members being disposed normal to said main frame andextending upwardly therefrom;

c. lock means for adjustably locking each attachment member to itscorresponding tube;

d. a U-shaped member having a pair of hollow tubes, said tubes beingconnected to each other at one end thereof by a bight member, the secondleg of at least one of said L-shaped attachment members being disposedin telescoping relation within one of the hollow tubes of said U-shapedmember, the complemental surfaces of said second leg of said L-shapedattachment member and the hollow tube of said U-shaped membercooperating to prevent relative rotational movement therebetween;

. a padded anatomy engaging member having a hollow attaching meansformed thereon, the second leg of at least one of said L-shapedattachment members being disposed in telescoping relation within thehollow attaching means of said padded member;

f. a second pair of attachment members, each having an L- shapedportion, a first part thereof being disposed in telescoping relationwithin a corresponding one of the hollow tubes of said U-shaped member,a second part thereof being disposed in parallel relation with the tubesof said main frame and extending toward the first end thereof, saidsecond parts supporting a strap member adapted to be used to support apart of an anatomy relative to said main frame; and

g. said padded member cooperating with said traction device to support apart of an anatomy in the open space pro 3. a bar disposed normal to thetubes for securing one of said tubes to another,

4. the tubes at the second end of said main frame being hollow inconstruction 5. the second end of said main frame being open thereabovethereby providing a space across which a portion of the anatomy may beextended;

b. a first pair of L-shaped attachment members each having first andsecond legs, the first leg of each of said attachment members beingdisposed in telescoping relation within a corresponding one of saidtubes at the second end of said main frame, the second leg of each ofsaid attachment members being disposed normal to said main frame andextending upwardly therefrom;

c. lock means for adjustably locking each attachment member to itscorresponding tube; d. a pair of padded anatomy engaging members eachhaving f. a second pair of attachment members, each having an L- shapedportion a first pan of which is disposed in telescoping relation withina corresponding one of the hollow tubes of said U-shaped member, asecond part of which is disposed in parallel relation with the tubes ofsaid main frame and extending toward the first end thereof, said secondparts supporting a strap member adapted to be used to support a part ofan anatomy relative to said main frame; and

g. said padded members cooperating with said traction device to supporta part of an anatomy in the open space above the second end of said mainframe and intermediate said traction device and said padded membersthereby permitting X-raying and the like of a part of an anatomy withoutinterfering obstruction from said traction device.

3. An anatomy traction device as described in claim 2 in which whichsaid U-shaped member is disposed in inverted relation of said main framewhereby the bight member thereof is distally disposed to said mainframe.

1. An anatomy traction device comprising: a. a main frame having firstand second ends and normally adapted to be disposed on a generallyhorizontal surface, said main frame including
 1. a pair of spaced apart,generally parallel tubes,
 2. a support having a traction device disposedadjacent the first end of said main frame and above thereof,
 3. a bardisposed normal to the tubes for securing one of said tubes to another,4. the tubes at the second end of said main frame being hollow inconstruction,
 5. the second end of said main frame being open thereabovethereby providing a space across which a portion of the anatomy may beextended; b. a first pair of L-shaped attachment members each havingfirst and second legs, the first leg of each of said attachment membersbeing disposed in telescoping relation within a corresponding one ofsaid tubes at the second end of said main frame, the second leg of eachof said attachment members being disposed normal to said main frame andextending upwardly therefrom; c. lock means for adjustably locking eachattachment member to its corresponding tube; d. a U-shaped member havinga pair of hollow tubes, said tubes being connected to each other at oneend thereof by a bight member, the second leg of at least one of saidL-shaped attachment members being disposed in telescoping relationwithin one of the hollow tubes of said U-shaped member, the complementalsurfaces of said second leg of said L-shaped attachment member and thehollow tube of said U-shaped member cooperating to prevent relativerotational movement therebetween; e. a padded anatomy engaging memberhaving a hollow attaching means formed thereon, the second leg of atleast one of said Lshaped attachment members being disposed intelescoping relation within the hollow attaching means of said paddedmember; f. a second pair of attachment members, each having an L-shapedportion, a first part thereof being disposed in telescoPing relationwithin a corresponding one of the hollow tubes of said U-shaped member,a second part thereof being disposed in parallel relation with the tubesof said main frame and extending toward the first end thereof, saidsecond parts supporting a strap member adapted to be used to support apart of an anatomy relative to said main frame; and g. said paddedmember cooperating with said traction device to support a part of ananatomy in the open space above the second ends of said main frame andintermediate said traction device and said padded member therebypermitting x-raying and the like of a part of an anatomy withoutinterfering obstruction from said traction device.
 2. a support having atraction device disposed adjacent the first end of said main frame andabove thereof,
 2. An anatomy traction device comprising: a. a main framehaving first and second ends and normally adapted to be disposed on agenerally horizontal surface, said main frame including
 2. a supporthaving a traction device disposed adjacent the first end of said mainframe and above thereof,
 3. a bar disposed normal to the tubes forsecuring one of said tubes to another,
 3. a bar disposed normal to thetubes for securing one of said tubes to another,
 3. An anatomy tractiondevice as described in claim 2 in which each of said padded anatomyengaging members has a pair of attachment means formed thereon and thesecond leg of each of said first pair of L-shaped attachment members isdisposed in telescoping relation within a first one of the hollowattachment means of a corresponding one of said padded members, and eachtube of said U-shaped member is disposed within a second one of thehollow attachment means of a corresponding one of said padded members.4. An anatomy traction device as described in claim 3 in which saidU-shaped member is disposed in inverted relation of said main framewhereby the bight member thereof is distally disposed to said mainframe.
 4. the tubes at the second end of said main frame being hollow inconstruction,
 4. the tubes at the second end of said main frame beinghollow in construction
 5. the second end of said main frame being openthereabove thereby providing a space across which a portion of theanatomy may be extended; b. a first pair of L-shaped attachment memberseach having first and second legs, the first leg of each of saidattachment members being disposed in telescoping relation within acorresponding one of said tubes at the second end of said main frame,the second leg of each of said attachment members being disposed normalto said main frame and extending upwardly therefrom; c. lock means foradjustably locking each attachment member to its corresponding tube; d.a U-shaped member having a pair of hollow tubes, said tubes beingconnected to each other at one end thereof by a bight member, the secondleg of at least one of said L-shaped attachment members being disposedin telescoping relation within one of the hollow tubes of said U-shapedmember, the complemental surfaces of said second leg of said L-shapedattachment member and the hollow tube of said U-shaped membercooperating to prevent relative rotational movement therebetween; e. apadded anatomy engaging member having a hollow attaching means formedthereon, the second leg of at least one of said L-shaped attachmentmembers being disposed in telescoping relation within the hollowattaching means of said padded member; f. a second pair of attachmentmembers, each having an L-shaped portion, a first part thereof beingdisposed in telescoPing relation within a corresponding one of thehollow tubes of said U-shaped member, a second part thereof beingdisposed in parallel relation with the tubes of said main frame andextending toward the first end thereof, said second parts supporting astrap member adapted to be used to support a part of an anatomy relativeto said main frame; and g. said padded member cooperating with saidtraction device to support a part of an anatomy in the open space abovethe second ends of said main frame and intermediate said traction deviceand said padded member thereby permitting x-raying and the like of apart of an anatomy without interfering obstruction from said tractiondevice.
 5. the second end of said main frame being open thereabovethereby providing a space across which a portion of the anatomy may beextended; b. a first pair of L-shaped attachment members each havingfirst and second legs, the first leg of each of said attachment membersbeing disposed in telescoping relation within a corresponding one ofsaid tubes at the second end of said main frame, the second leg of eachof said attachment members being disposed normal to said main frame andextending upwardly therefrom; c. lock means for adjustably locking eachattachment member to its corresponding tube; d. a pair of padded anatomyengaging members each having hollow attachments means formed thereon,the second leg of each of said L-shaped attachment members beingdisposed in telescoping relation within the hollow attachment means of acorresponding one of said padded members; e. a U-shaped member having apair of hollow tubes, said tubes being connected at one end thereof by abight member, each tube of said U-shaped member being disposed withinthe hollow attachment means of a corresponding one of said paddedmembers; f. a second pair of attachment members, each having an L-shapedportion a first part of which is disposed in telescoping relation withina corresponding one of the hollow tubes of said U-shaped member, asecond part of which is disposed in parallel relation with the tubes ofsaid main frame and extending toward the first end thereof, said secondparts supporting a strap member adapted to be used to support a part ofan anatomy relative to said main frame; and g. said padded memberscooperating with said traction device to support a part of an anatomy inthe open space above the second end of said main frame and intermediatesaid traction device and said padded members thereby permitting X-rayingand the like of a part of an anatomy without interfering obstructionfrom said traction device.